What characterizes treated seed?

Treated seed is specifically defined as seed that has undergone a chemical treatment to enhance its characteristics for planting. This treatment can be applied for various reasons, including pest control, disease prevention, and overall improvement of seed viability and performance. Chemicals used in this process may include fungicides, insecticides, or other protective agents, and they are integral to ensuring that the seeds have a better chance of thriving in the planting environment.

The other options provided do not accurately capture the defining characteristics of treated seed. While certain seeds may indeed require special storage conditions or surpass germination standards, these attributes do not specifically pertain to the definition of treated seed. Additionally, being organic certified refers to a separate classification based on farming practices, which does not inherently relate to whether or not the seed has been treated chemically. Thus, the essence of treated seed lies in its chemical treatment, making that the correct answer.